Chapter 28 (2/2)

Then from the table drawer he took a long and narrow cloth, and wrapped it on the handle.

”I will prepare the hot water.”

”Please do.”

Lady transformed to her Richelieu-like form and went outside the room.

s.h.i.+zuru laid a leather material, the same as his usual bag, and a sewing kit on the table while she came back with a bowl filled with boiled water.

”…… Well then.”

Unlike normal cloth, Hard leather couldn't be processed easily as it is,

so he softened it with hot water, and then shaped it.

He covered the handle part of the knife that was wrapped by cloth and then sewed the joint.

To make the seams as inconspicuous as possible, he applied paint to the sewed parts so it would fit in with the material.

He dried it once the handle was finished and with a little sharpening, the blade was complete.

It was not time consuming since Lady already did the most difficult part, which was deforming the blade. It was clear he had done this multiple times already.

”Yup, this feels good.”

s.h.i.+zuru swung the knife lightly to check its condition.

Although it was a small knife, it was still an important tool for work.

He wondered when he started making them himself.

Since he couldn't forge the iron from scratch, he took Richelieu’s broken sword that was still in good condition and made knife from that.

It was a famous sword, even if it was broken. The sharpness is incomparable with any other blade in the neighbourhood, and since he had experience using one, he didn't feel the need to buy a knife from the market.

”As expected from Tinkerbell who boast its lightness. Even if they have became this small, it is obviously lighter than those being made from Tokimune before this.”

” …… Hey dear, I have been thinking about this before, Why are you doing this while you can order one from the same blacksmith to make those daggers for you?”

”Hm? Ah, well I could do that. But in my case this knife was practically a hidden weapon. Considering its usability, as I thought it was the best to make it myself.”

Made for blending with the side of his bag, and an optimum size to strike from his sleeve.

Even if the knife was designed intricately he still had doubts in some points.

As much as possible he tried to eliminate any uneasy factors.

Richelieu had thoroughly taught it to s.h.i.+zuru, so he carefully adhered those rules.

”Do you think I'm paranoid?”

”No. We are a.s.sa.s.sins (TN: Actually she said killer but a.s.sa.s.sin more appropriate), so it's natural for us to be cautious. It is because darling is like that,  that we can move without worry.”

Lady licked s.h.i.+zuru's cheek while still in her human form.

In any case, it took a while to get used to a smiling face that Richelieu never does.

”At any rate, …… I know you lost your knife, but why did you suddenly decide to make a new one? We still don't have any commissions.”

”Somehow I got it when I went to Richelieu's place to give a special report. I will tell the others when we gather tomorrow evening.”

There were two things to talk about.

First, temporary commission termination until the reinforced defense patrol by imperial knight toned down.

It was certainly annoying, but perhaps it was only for 1 or 2 months.

Because even if they were soldiers, it would be difficult to a.s.sign the Imperial Knight for the town night watch forever.

He had already heard the official date from his acquaintance in the guard.

Then, the reason why he hurriedly made a new knife.

To find the random attacker before the Imperial Knights, ordered by Richelieu.

ーIt would be dangerous to go look for someone that killed civilians and guards indiscriminately without his knife.

Well, I still have another knife tucked in my sleeve, But I guess it's more rea.s.suring to have a pair.

Suddenly he remembered the grotesque scene chopper had done to his victims that he saw couple of times.

He is also commonly known as Chopper the Shredder, since he tears his victim’s corpse into bits.

From the wound condition, s.h.i.+zuru was convinced that he uses a knife like blade as his weapon.

―― Suddenly the figure of the girl that leapt at Casca with his knife in her hands floated in his mind for a moment.

”There's no way …… right?”

”It's something wrong, dear?”

”No it's nothing, Lady. Now, let's prepare for the dinner.”

He shook that thought off, and left the room with Lady.

If anything… It was a ridiculous idea, so he smiled wryly.

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